NBA Draft 2012: Why the Chicago Bulls Should Move Up for Austin Rivers

The 2012 NBA season is as close to over as it has ever been for the once-title-favorite Chicago Bulls, as Tom Thibodeau and company face elimination against the Philadelphia 76ers. At the heart of these issues have been the untimely injuries to star players Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

Time to make some changes.

While many cite the Bulls lack of a true No. 2 scorer as the reason for their postseason crumble, a cure ranges well beyond the simple addition of a scorer. Instead, the Chicago Bulls need to look at the big picture and ask themselves one important question...

What will we do with C.J. Watson and John Lucas III both poised to hit free agency in 2012? Furthermore, how will we cope when the ball-handling duties have to fall into the hands of another?

I am no fan of this young man's game, but if he could ever fit a system, it would be Thibodeau and the Bulls. This player, of course, goes by the name of Austin Rivers; son of Thibodeau's mentor, Doc Rivers.

Rivers has a tendency to over-dribble, can be selfish with the basketball and often gambles on defense. Furthermore, Rivers has yet to discover his comfort zone on the court and often displays poor shot selection.

What's important to note in this negative evaluation, however, is that every one of Rivers' flaws are coachable.

In Chicago, the reason this move would work is quite simple. Rivers is an excellent ball-handler who thrives in attacking the basket. While John Lucas III and C.J. Watson have played admirably in Derrick Rose's absence, neither are capable of doing such. Nor are they the caliber ball-handler that Rivers is.

When Rose is healthy, Rivers is capable of playing the undersized 2. He'll add depth to a weak offensive position and offer the Bulls insurance of scoring points.

You may love or you may hate him, but a player like Austin Rivers is what the Chicago Bulls need. He's likely to be available in the 15 to 20 range, making this trade low-risk and high-reward.